My guest today is Perry Smith, guitarist, activist, and community builder. Perry grew up in California’s San Francisco Bay area, listening to folk music and alternative rock, but tells the story of when he was bitten by the jazz bug at age 11. He loved the complex, sophisticated jazz chords as well as the freedom of improvisation that jazz music offered. Perry went to University of Southern California, to study with jazz legend Joe Diorio. Nine years ago Perry moved to NYC, where he completed his Masters in Music at NYU, and became a leader of his own groups and a busy sideman for local and touring artists. Perry has a devoted sense of striving, humbled by how much more there is to learn! His knowledge of what's out there, creates a wonderful cycle, that keeps him engaged, growing, and expanding as an artist. Perry honors the origins and history of Jazz music; jazz was born out of oppression and was an essential outlet for the discrimination that the African American culture experienced. As an active player in the NYC jazz scene, Perry hosts a weekly series in Brooklyn called The Nest Session, where he performs with different groups of jazz musicians while building community to create a meaningful social justice forum. After 4 years of building community, Perry just announced that Wednesday December 19th will be the final show at The Nest. Come out and celebrate all that Perry co-created through this venue. Check out the show notes for links to Perry’s website, to hear his music, buy his CDs, and see all of his upcoming performances. Enjoy the podcast! Links: www.perrysmithmusic.com New West Guitar Group  No Biggity The Nest Brooklyn